US9021514B2 - Monitoring device for capturing audience research data - Google Patents

Monitoring device for capturing audience research data Download PDF

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Publication number
US9021514B2
US9021514B2 US12/687,978 US68797810A US9021514B2 US 9021514 B2 US9021514 B2 US 9021514B2 US 68797810 A US68797810 A US 68797810A US 9021514 B2 US9021514 B2 US 9021514B2
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Prior art keywords
monitoring device
data
signal
appliance
audio
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Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US12/687,978
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English (en)
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US20100185495A1 (en
Inventor
Daniel BATTISTON
Olivier Staub
Andreas KOSCHAK
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GfK Switzerland AG
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GfK Telecontrol AG
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Assigned to GFK TELECONTROL AG reassignment GFK TELECONTROL AG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KOSCHAK, ANDREAS, BATTISTON, DANIEL, STAUB, OLIVIER
Publication of US20100185495A1 publication Critical patent/US20100185495A1/en
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Assigned to GFK SWITZERLAND AG reassignment GFK SWITZERLAND AG MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GFK TELECONTROL AG
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/56—Arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54
    • H04H60/58—Arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54 of audio
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/29—Arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/31—Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/29—Arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/32—Arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations, e.g. malfunction or breakdown of receiving stations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/37—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/38—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space
    • H04H60/41—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas
    • H04H60/43—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas for identifying broadcast channels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/38—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space
    • H04H60/41—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas
    • H04H60/44—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas for identifying broadcast stations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/28—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
    • H04H20/30—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by a single channel
    • H04H20/31—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by a single channel using in-band signals, e.g. subsonic or cue signal

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a monitoring device for capturing audio research data.
  • Monitoring devices for capturing audience research data are coupled to AV (audio/video) installations. They watch the operational status of the individual appliances and by means of appropriate sensing means, detect which programs or AV media are presented to an audience, preferably without any human interaction. These monitors are usually installed in the households of panelists. Depending on the applied detection method, similar devices have to be installed at reference locations in order to get reference data of the programs.
  • AV audio/video
  • AV installations may comprise a manifold of different appliances, starting with a TV set, tuner, magnetic tape recorder, DVD recorder and player. These appliances are based on very differing techniques, just to mention that TV sets and TV tuners may be digital or analog. Still, a PC (personal computer) may serve as an AV appliance, either on its own or in cooperation with conventional AV appliances.
  • a PC personal computer
  • an object of the present invention is to propose a monitoring device which is usable in many different AV installations.
  • Such a monitoring device is arranged for watching the activity of a household AV installation and comprises:
  • the monitoring device comprises a data management including a memory, data transmission means, a basic set of AV monitoring means, and a set of connectors capable to receive or attach to modules which perform other AV monitoring techniques.
  • an audio sampling and compression portion and a code extracting portion are implemented as the basic set of AV monitoring means.
  • the code if present is embedded in the audio signal as well.
  • the monitor can be provided with survey facilities allowing easier or faster recognition of AV media, detection of peculiar conditions, or even to capture needed data at all in case the basic set is unable to perform the task.
  • FIG. 1 A first AV survey configuration
  • FIG. 2 a second AV survey configuration
  • FIG. 3 a third AV survey configuration.
  • FIG. 1 shows a monitoring device 1 according to the invention connected to a TV set 3 by an audio line 5 .
  • the audio line 5 is connected to an audio output of the TV set 3 or takes the sound of the loudspeaker of the TV set by means of a microphone (not shown).
  • the audio line 5 is internally connected to the audio sampling unit 7 and the audio code extractor 9 .
  • the sampling unit 7 takes samples of the audio signal, highly compresses and stores them for later correlation with reference samples.
  • EP-A-0 887 958 of the applicant which is incorporated by reference hereby.
  • the code extractor 9 determines if a code is embedded in the audio signal, and extracts it. Such a code may be present as a so-called watermark which is completely imperceptible by the audience.
  • the code extractor 9 may inhibit the audio samples unit 7 , so that only the code is stored.
  • a further on/off sensing line 11 is connected to the TV set.
  • the on/off sensor 13 decides in dependence on the status of the sensing line 11 if the TV set is switched on.
  • the sensing line may be connected to any connector accessible at the TV set and bearing a kind of supply or signal voltage.
  • An alternative is to provide a current sensor between TV set and mains (not shown), and the output of the current sensor is the sense line 11 .
  • a third possibility is to detect presence of a video signal on an output of the TV set, and/or an audio signal, the presence of one of which is indicative that the TV set is on.
  • the on/off sensor is an external device connected to one of the extension connection 15 .
  • the TV set receives the programs via an aerial 17 .
  • the monitoring device 1 further comprises:
  • FIG. 2 shows mainly the same arrangement as FIG. 1 , yet there is additionally present an IP box 31 .
  • An IP box receives AV programs via a fast Internet access.
  • an IP box further contains an internal mass storage so that reproduction on an AV appliance like a TV set may be time-shifted or repeated.
  • video signals of the IP box 31 are as well furnished to the IP box analyser module 33 (IPB-AM) inserted in the monitoring device 1 .
  • IPB-AM IP box analyser module 33
  • the IPB-AM 33 is configured for the IP box to check peculiar areas of the video signal if graphics indicative for a menu created by the IP box 31 appear. If this is the case, the display of the menu is analysed in order to retrieve data indicating selections made by the panelist. Overall, the IPB-AM 33 results allow to discern between viewing and IP box menu operation and to measure which channel is selected.
  • An audio recognition device 35 inserts an imperceptible signal into the audio signal furnished by the IP box 31 to the TV set 3 .
  • the signal insertion is controlled by the monitoring device 1 , or the audio recognition device 35 provides an appropriate signal to the monitoring device through line 37 attached to connector 25 .
  • the TV set reproduces the AV signals from the IP box 31 .
  • FIG. 3 shows a situation where the tuner of the TV set 3 is substituted by a tuner module 39 , and even the AV output signals of the IP box 31 are forwarded through the internal connections to output 41 of the tuner 39 .
  • the aerial 17 is connected to the aerial input 40 of the tuner module 39 .
  • the tuner's output like that of the IP box 31 , consists of audio and video signals, and the TV set 3 only acts as an AV reproduction device. Therefore, no further connections to the TV set 3 are necessary, and all signals, even the audio signals for the audio analyser units 7 , 9 are internally available.
  • Channel selection and AV source selection are performed by the monitoring device 1 , usually by a remote control.
  • All the data retrieved by the monitoring device 1 are stored by the data management unit 19 and from time to time transferred to an evaluation center by the data transmission unit 21 .
  • the data management unit 19 adds to the data unique time stamps or data and time indications. E.g. in the case of codes which comprise time indication of their generation, comparison with the time added by the monitoring device 1 allows to decide if the reproduction took place in real time or later, (time-shifted are replay of recorded material).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Testing, Inspecting, Measuring Of Stereoscopic Televisions And Televisions (AREA)
US12/687,978 2009-01-16 2010-01-15 Monitoring device for capturing audience research data Expired - Fee Related US9021514B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09150784.8 2009-01-16
EP09150784 2009-01-16
EP09150784A EP2209237A1 (de) 2009-01-16 2009-01-16 Überwachungsvorrichtung zur Erfassung von Zielgruppenforschungsdaten

Publications (2)

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US20100185495A1 US20100185495A1 (en) 2010-07-22
US9021514B2 true US9021514B2 (en) 2015-04-28

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US12/687,978 Expired - Fee Related US9021514B2 (en) 2009-01-16 2010-01-15 Monitoring device for capturing audience research data

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EP (1) EP2209237A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2013203468B2 (en) * 2005-08-16 2015-10-15 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Display device on/off detection methods and apparatus
CN104485110A (zh) * 2014-11-25 2015-04-01 科大讯飞股份有限公司 点歌系统、方法、服务器及移动终端

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3742426A1 (de) 1987-12-15 1989-06-29 Gfk Gmbh Verfahren und anordnung zum erfassen der funktionszustaende bei einem fernsehgeraet
WO1994011989A1 (en) 1992-11-16 1994-05-26 The Arbitron Company Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding broadcast or recorded segments and monitoring audience exposure thereto
WO1994017609A1 (en) 1991-07-19 1994-08-04 John Barrett Kiefl Television viewer monitoring system
EP0665690A1 (de) 1994-01-17 1995-08-02 Srg Schweizerische Radio- Und Fernsehgesellschaft Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Datenerfassung für Fernseh-Publikumsforschung
FR2717025A1 (fr) 1994-03-01 1995-09-08 Euro Cp Sarl Procédé et dispositif de reconnaissance de l'état de fonctionnement d'un récepteur, récepteur audio, adaptateur et magnétoscope ainsi équipés.
US5481294A (en) * 1993-10-27 1996-01-02 A. C. Nielsen Company Audience measurement system utilizing ancillary codes and passive signatures
EP0887958A1 (de) 1997-06-23 1998-12-30 Liechti Ag Verfahren für die Kompression der Aufnahmen von Umgebungsgeräusch, Verfahren für die Erfassung von Programmelementen darin, und Vorrichtung dafür
US6286140B1 (en) 1997-11-20 2001-09-04 Thomas P. Ivanyi System and method for measuring and storing information pertaining to television viewer or user behavior
WO2006020560A2 (en) 2004-08-09 2006-02-23 Nielsen Media Research, Inc Methods and apparatus to monitor audio/visual content from various sources
US20070136782A1 (en) * 2004-05-14 2007-06-14 Arun Ramaswamy Methods and apparatus for identifying media content
US20070192803A1 (en) 2006-02-15 2007-08-16 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Broadcast receiving device, viewing management server, viewing determination method, broadcasting system, viewing determination program, and storage medium
US20090249387A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-01 Microsoft Corporation Personalized Event Notification Using Real-Time Video Analysis

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI411301B (zh) * 2004-02-17 2013-10-01 Nielsen Media Res Inc 決定錄影過節目之觀眾觀看的方法及設備

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3742426A1 (de) 1987-12-15 1989-06-29 Gfk Gmbh Verfahren und anordnung zum erfassen der funktionszustaende bei einem fernsehgeraet
WO1994017609A1 (en) 1991-07-19 1994-08-04 John Barrett Kiefl Television viewer monitoring system
WO1994011989A1 (en) 1992-11-16 1994-05-26 The Arbitron Company Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding broadcast or recorded segments and monitoring audience exposure thereto
US5481294A (en) * 1993-10-27 1996-01-02 A. C. Nielsen Company Audience measurement system utilizing ancillary codes and passive signatures
EP0665690B1 (de) 1994-01-17 1996-05-29 Srg Schweizerische Radio- Und Fernsehgesellschaft Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Datenerfassung für Fernseh-Publikumsforschung
EP0665690A1 (de) 1994-01-17 1995-08-02 Srg Schweizerische Radio- Und Fernsehgesellschaft Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Datenerfassung für Fernseh-Publikumsforschung
US5608445A (en) 1994-01-17 1997-03-04 Srg Schweizerische Radio- Und Fernsehgesellschaft Method and device for data capture in television viewers research
FR2717025A1 (fr) 1994-03-01 1995-09-08 Euro Cp Sarl Procédé et dispositif de reconnaissance de l'état de fonctionnement d'un récepteur, récepteur audio, adaptateur et magnétoscope ainsi équipés.
EP0887958A1 (de) 1997-06-23 1998-12-30 Liechti Ag Verfahren für die Kompression der Aufnahmen von Umgebungsgeräusch, Verfahren für die Erfassung von Programmelementen darin, und Vorrichtung dafür
US6286140B1 (en) 1997-11-20 2001-09-04 Thomas P. Ivanyi System and method for measuring and storing information pertaining to television viewer or user behavior
US20070136782A1 (en) * 2004-05-14 2007-06-14 Arun Ramaswamy Methods and apparatus for identifying media content
WO2006020560A2 (en) 2004-08-09 2006-02-23 Nielsen Media Research, Inc Methods and apparatus to monitor audio/visual content from various sources
US20070192803A1 (en) 2006-02-15 2007-08-16 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Broadcast receiving device, viewing management server, viewing determination method, broadcasting system, viewing determination program, and storage medium
US20090249387A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-01 Microsoft Corporation Personalized Event Notification Using Real-Time Video Analysis

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Title
European Examination Report dated Sep. 22, 2014 in corresponding European Patent Application No. 09 150 784.8 (English language).
European Search report dated Nov. 26, 2009, issued in corresponding European priority application No. EP 09150784.

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US20100185495A1 (en) 2010-07-22
EP2209237A1 (de) 2010-07-21

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